MEET THE DIVAS

Dr. Linda Bowman-Hopson is the current Executive Director of ED-CORE, Inc., an educational consulting company. She earned a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry from Livingstone College, M.S. in Biology/ Microbiology from North Carolina Central University, M.S. in Educational Administration from North Carolina A&T State University, ED.M from Columbia University in Educational Administration and Ed.D from Columbia University in Educational Administration, Organization and Leadership. 

As a retired educational leader since 2018, opportunities to consult with school districts, principals and communities on educational disparities and inequities have been a major focus. Serving as a mentor to current principals in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia provides opportunities to shape the culture and the human capital capacity to impact educational change. As a former associate professor at North Carolina A&T State University after a total educational career of 32 years in the field of education, the drive for systemic change continues even in retirement.

Her research interests include: Mentoring and socialization experiences of faculty in higher education and the impact of current crisis on K-12 education and universities.

Dr. Temeka L. Carter earned a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2009. Her academic interests include African American Studies, prophetic pragmatism, service-learning, women's studies, and social entrepreneurship.

Known by her students and colleagues for promoting community, civic engagement, and activism, Dr. Carter constantly seeks ways to positively affect social change. She has presented research papers at conferences around the country and is a recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for the UNCG English Department.

She is also the owner of the Black Belt Soap Company located in Greensboro, NC where she helps to cultivate humanity through offering healing and wellness services, via teaching materials, workshops, and natural products. Visit https://blackbeltsoapco.com/

Dr. Marrissa R. Dick Dr. Dick is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for Aggies at the Goal Line and Distance Education for the Department of Liberal Studies at North Carolina A&T State University. Marrissa earned a Ph.D. in Educational Studies and Cultural Foundations with a Specialization in Cultural Studies and a minor in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where her dissertation focused on Fantasy and Mis-Educative Experiences inside the classroom. She earned a master’s degree in Adult Education with a Specialization in Training and Development from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and she also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Specialization in Business Management from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 Marrissa is known for her passionate and engaging teaching pedagogy, earning her the 2022 – 2023 Outstanding Teaching Professor of the Year Award at NC A&T State University. Dr. Dick believes in remaining at the forefront of effective teaching strategies. She was excited to be an inaugural participant in receiving national certification from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) at NC A&T State University. Marrissa has been certified in online teaching and learning and is the asynchronous Subject Master Expert (SME) Online Course Developer for Master Course LIBS 311- The Idea of Africa. She is best known for utilizing retentive measures by exposing students to experiential learning, time management, and critical thinking while fostering a holistic “Other Mothering” classroom pedagogy. 

Dr. Callie C. Womble Edwards is an experienced educational researcher and program evaluator. For over a decade, she has studied, partnered with, and advocated for historically underrepresented and underserved populations in health, education, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Dr. Edwards holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis with a specialization in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University (NCSU). Her dissertation explored the counternarratives of high-achieving Black male engineering majors, and earned the NCSU 2018 Higher Education Dissertation of the Year Award, and an honorable mention from the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education 2019 Dissertation of the Year Award selection committee. Dr. Edwards currently serves in a dual appointment as the Director of the Program Evaluation and Education Research Group and the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and an adjunct faculty member in the NCSU College of Education. In her free time, Dr. Edwards operates a consulting agency, The Life Of A Scholar, LLC (www.thelifeofascholar.com). She also enjoys cooking, watching movies, working out, and volunteering with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She and her husband, Shawn, reside in Clayton, NC, and have a Yorkshire Terrier, Winston. You can connect with her using any of the links below:

Website: www.drcallie.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drcallie

Twitter: www.twitter.com/drcallie_tweets 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drcallie_inspires 

Dr. Pamela Lynetta Ford is a native of Burlington, NC who currently serves as a Principal for Guilford County Schools. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in 1995 and her Master’s degree in 2000. She also has a Master’s degree in School Administration (2005), a Specialist in Education Degree (2012), and a Doctoral Degree (2014) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Dr. Ford began her career in education in 1996 as a fifth-grade teacher at Haw River Elementary and then Madison Elementary. She has also served as a Technology Facilitator, Curriculum Facilitator, and Assistant Principal. During her educational career, she founded “Literacy Through the Arts” an after-school program for middle school students. She also developed and supervised “Jackson All-Star Summer Enrichment Camp (JASE Camp)” for middle school students. 

In her spare time, Dr. Ford enjoys spending quality time with her son, traveling, and focusing on self-care. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Dr. Sheila Gothard hails from Michigan and relocated to Greensboro, NC out of her dedication to higher education and admiration for HBCUs. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Ferris State University, a Bachelor’s degree in Communications where she also earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership: Training and Development from Western Michigan University. Dr. Gothard earned a second Master’s degree in Higher Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Ms. Gothard is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Sigma Kappa Omega Chapter in Greensboro, NC. She is the Dean of Student Affairs at South University, High Point. Ms. Gothard is a woman of faith and member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC. She is the mother of two wonderful young adults, Aubrey and Ashley and works to keep her life balanced with travel, Zumba, yoga, and enjoying fine dining.

Dr. Brenda J. Kennedy began her career as an elementary teacher in Chicago, IL in 1979.  She taught a total of 14 years in public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels before transitioning into higher education where she has taught in community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. Dr. Kennedy also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for six years after beginning her teaching career.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Dr. Kennedy earned her Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership with a minor in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University in Chicago, IL and relocated to Greensboro, NC from a suburb of Chicago to work at Bennett College in 2003 as the Director of Excellence in Teaching and Student Performance. 

Currently, Dr. Kennedy is the Director of the Office of Field & Clinical Experiences for the Educator Preparation Program at Winston-Salem State University.  She is passionate about ensuring that the education majors in WSSU education programs are prepared to teach the Pre-K through 12th grade students in their classrooms the content, knowledge, and skills they need to be successful in life while also building positive relationships with their students and families as they assist them in advocating for social justice and equity.  Dr. Kennedy’s research interests include social justice issues, cultural competence, literacy, equity issues, developing self-efficacy, and access to excellence for all students.  She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a member of the Beta Iota chapter in Greensboro.

Dr. Kennedy and her husband Alonzo are the proud parents of two daughters and the proud grandparents of six grandsons and one granddaughter. 

As an expert in Educational Organizational Leadership K12, Dr. Melissa Mann-Bailey is deeply passionate and sincerely committed to providing a brighter future, while inspiring innovation, wisdom, and judgment to develop effective leaders in organizational contexts cutting across many different paradigms to build greater professional coordination between service organizations and varied global perspectives. She leads with a passion for creating a sense of belonging, community, and equity, while engaging in strategic leadership, applied research methods, data analysis, policy, human organizational development, social justice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and development and change in different organizational contexts within an increasingly complex world. 

With a steadfast commitment to adolescent development, social justice, restorative practices, and culturally responsive teaching, Dr. Mann-Bailey believes that it is a profound honor to lead with integrity, compassion, accountability, and excellence through the lens of transformational leadership. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, Dr. Mann-Bailey chooses to serve in spaces where the mission, vision, and educational philosophy are aligned, and the standard for excellence through equitable policies and procedures are transparent.

For 23 years, Dr. Mann-Bailey served in the field of education, and the Gospel Music Industry with JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise while garnering national and international recognition with 6 Stellar Awards, and a Billboard Music Award. She earned a Doctorate in Educational Organizational Leadership K12 at Grand Canyon University; a Master of Science in Human Resource Development at the University of Bridgeport; a Bachelor in Sociology at Eastern Connecticut State University, and an Associate of Science in Paralegalism at Briarwood College.

As an active teacher for 50 years, Dr. Fran Bates Oates has served in the roles of teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Director of Staff Development. After 31 years of service in one of the top five school districts in NC, Dr. Oates retired and joined Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), Winston-Salem, NC, as a Clinical Faculty, continued as the Elementary Education Program Coordinator for ten years, and retired as Director of Field and Clinical Experiences. Holding a BS in Early Childhood Education from WSSU, Dr. Oates completed her MA in Elementary Education, Advanced Certification in Curriculum and Instruction, an Ed.S in Administration, and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC; also completed the Principals’ Executive Certification from UNC-Chapel Hill, NC and the Harvard Divinity School Leadership Institute in Community and Economic Development. Currently, she is the Founder and President of Seeing Ourselves Anew, BATESoates Life Coaching and Educational Services, Inc. where she has been a life coach for 20 years offering one-on-one life coaching, group coaching, workshop facilitation, and a course offering titled Social Justice and Me written from her award-winning dissertation. 

Visit BatesOates Life Coaching and Educational Services at www.franbatesoates.com.  

Dr. Kim Doggett Pemberton is an associate professor of Elementary Education and the chairperson of the Department of Education at Winston-Salem State University. She has certifications in Elementary Education and Birth-Kindergarten Education, and she is also Nationally Board Certified as an Early Childhood Generalist, which gives emphasis to children from birth-eight years of age. She is affectionately known by her DIVA Sistas as an "OD" (Original DIVA). Her dissertation focus was Parental Involvement of Low Socioeconomic Families with Struggling Primary Readers. Dr. Pemberton currently directs the I-RISE (Initiative of Reading Improvement for Students Everywhere) Literacy Academy in Winston-Salem, NC as well as a summer program for elementary aged students (RaMS-C: Reading and Math Summer Camp), because she sees literacy as an essential element for academic and social success. 

Dr. Pemberton has authored articles in Wayne State University's Institute for the Study of the African American Child (ISAAC) and Education and Urban Society. She considers herself blessed to be a four-time, two-type cancer survivor diagnosed in 1999, 2009, 2021, and 2024. Kim is a lifetime member of Saint James Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC where she is an ordained Deacon, Worship Leader, and Directress of the Dance Ministry; Worshippers of Praise (WoP). She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, yet most significantly, Kim is the proud mother of fraternal twins--Brianna Ariel & Kenneth Deonte’ (Fiorella) and G-Mommie to Leiana Renee’ and Nyla Marie. She considers them all to be the apples of her eye and the earthly holders of her heart! 

Dr. Pemberton enjoys teaching using innovative activities, dancing, laughing, spending time with friends and family, taking part in competitive board games, helping others, and most importantly praising her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Anai Robinson is an scientific educator, driven to contribute to STEM education and empower underrepresented students. Her journey began with Freedom School Oklahoma City (FSOKC), where she served as a Servant Leader intern during high school and her undergraduate years. Teaching first and third-graders literary skills, she crafted lesson plans aligned with state standards, significantly impacting their academic and social development. Anai interned with NASA's Langston University NASA Advanced Research in Biology Center (LUNAR-BC) program, working on projects related to sustaining life on Mars. Despite the onset of COVID-19, she balanced her NASA internship with her role as a first-grade instructor at FSOKC, showcasing her dedication and adaptability. Her work at NASA involved investigating the impact of microgravity on plant growth, deepening her appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of STEM fields. Anai became a member of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program to further frame herself as a scientist and educator. Her research includes observing metabolic activity in the t-cells of Sjogren's patients, which she presented in a poster at the 2022 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Scientists (ABRCMS) and the 2022 National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR). After graduating Magna cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from Langston University, she now pursues a Ph.D. in the Applied Science and Technology (AST) program at North Carolina A&T State University, with a focus on STEM education. She has received the NSF LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate fellowship from fall 2023 to fall 2024. Now, Anai holds the honor of receiving the Title III Chancellor Fellowship from fall 2024 until the completion of her doctorate in fall 2027. 

Dr. Ayo Sekai has worked over the last 22 years to advance outcomes for the education and business industries through academic research, federal leadership, and scholarly publications through the establishment of Universal Write Publications (UWP).

Dr. Sekai uses her platform to elevate the research of Black and Brown Scholars that bridge the gap between the Global South and Global North, with inclusive diasporic narratives, that work to dismantle structural racism caused by the perpetual omission of Black scholarship and address racial inequity in policies, practices, and higher education. She has leveraged her partnership with SAGE Publishing, a leading global social science press, to impact the voice of the diaspora as actors and agents further empowering Black Scholars to no longer be observed but to be observers of history through intellectual discourse.

Dr. Sekai is a Fulbright Specialist and a life member of multiple academic and practitioner associations. She serves on Higher Education commissions and is an active scholar presenting and writing on topics that align with her research and impact scholarly publications. Sekai has served as a keynote speaker, taught as both a high and middle school teacher, a poet, and author with decades of print media, magazine, fiction, and trade publications expertise. including her recorded social justice poetry, as a spoken word poetic activist.

Prior to her current chapter guiding and supporting Black Scholars to become recognized in their fields of study by creating more inclusive research, Dr. Sekai has been a public servant at multiple federal agencies, serving as an education and grants management specialist and Director. Earning her Ph.D. in Political Science from Howard University, Dr. Sekai is a linguistic scholar intent on interrogating language structures used to inform the legacy of the school-to-prison pipeline that promotes and impacts public policy and politics that become law perpetuating structural and systematic racism. For more information, visit www.UWPBooks.com. 

Dr. LaWanda M. Simpkins is an independent scholar and founder and President of Creative Justice, Inc., a non-profit organization that specializes in creating spaces for conversations centered on social justice and advocacy. As an academic, Simpkins specializes in courses and curriculum development in areas directly connected with women’s & gender studies, race, and adult education. Due to her extensive background, Simpkins approaches teaching and learning from a Freirean approach, which is radical in nature. Her research focuses on hegemonic norms and how dominant structures and ideologies affect the collective identity of marginalized populations, specifically Black and Brown people. Her terminal degree lies within Educational Studies with a concentration in Cultural Foundations. She also has a certificate in Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was the James Farmer Post Doctoral Fellow of Social Justice & Civil Rights at the University of Mary Washington. Simpkins is a proud product of a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) holding a Master’s degree in Adult Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Marketing from North Carolina A&T State University. She has extensive experience working with audiences on issues dealing with cultural competency, equity, diversity, belonging, and social justice and advocacy.

Agency Website: www.ourcreativejustice.com 

Dr. Adreinne D. Smith is a native of Broadway, North Carolina. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from North Carolina State University, a Master of Science in Biology from Fayetteville State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Pathology, also from North Carolina State University. Adreinne currently serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at North Carolina A&T State University. In this role, she is committed to educating, advising, and mentoring the next generation of scientists. Adreinne is passionate about advancing and fostering diversity within the field of plant health sciences. Her goal is to enhance the visibility and representation of minorities in plant science and agricultural careers. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy efforts, she strives to make impactful contributions to both the academic and scientific communities as well as to the broader field of agriculture. 

Andrea Spool-White is a PhD student in the College of Applied Science and Technology (CoST) at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. She earned a master’s degree in STEM education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and a bachelor’s in architectural engineering at North Carolina A&T State.

Her doctoral research explores a socio-economic approach of why underrepresented high school seniors are abandoning STEM. Data to be measured in the research are income, race, first generation, technology, geographical location, female, healthcare, family support, food security, shelter security, mental health, motivation, caregivers, work, education, and community. This research utilizes a mix method approach to include eye tracking technology. Tracking will capture interactions as students navigate a virtual reality environment engaging in both traditional and modern/smart classroom stimuli. Eye tracking combines with virtual reality to map student engagement during a session and recognizes implicit human attention. The outcome of this study will be expected to strengthen the equality and participation among underrepresented students in STEM fields. As a result, it will contribute to economic growth, global competitiveness, and secure the United States domestically and internationally.

Mrs. Spool-White has over 25 years of experience working as a project manager in architecture and engineering and over 10 years as a North Carolina licensed teacher and Project Lead The Way certified pre-engineering instructor. She is co-chairperson for the Charlotte Engineering Early College Foundation and coach/mentor of US First Robotics and Queen City Robotics Alliance FRC and FLL teams. In her spare time she enjoys family and travel and resides in Charlotte, NC.

Visit her LinkedIn Profile

Dawn Nicole Hicks Tafari, PhD

A native New Yorker, Dawn Nicole Hicks Tafari is passionate about the arts, culture, education, and translating theory into practice. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hofstra University; her Master of Arts in Teaching from The Johns Hopkins University; and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies as well as her Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a Specialization in Cultural Studies from The University of North Carolina Greensboro. She has served as an elementary school teacher, a curriculum facilitator, an educational consultant, and she currently serves as an Associate Professor of Education and Coordinator for the Elementary Education Program at Winston-Salem State University. Dawn is a HipHop Feminist whose research interests include Black Feminist Thought, Black men elementary school teachers, HipHop culture’s influence on identity development, critical race theory, and Kwanzaa as a site of resistance.  Dr. Tafari is the author of “Tales from A Hip-Hop DIVA: One Girl’s Journey from the Bronx to the Ph.D.”; “Whose World is This? A Composite Counterstory of Black Male Elementary School Teachers as Hip-Hop Otherfathers”; dozens of other journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, and the highly acclaimed book, The Journey of Kamau Miller: HipHop Composite Counterstories for Black Men Teachers.  Dawn has been featured in the Winston-Salem Chronicle as “Busta Brown’s Person of the Week”. She is also a recipient of the 2025 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award; Winston-Salem State University Foundation, Inc.’s Simon G. Atkins 2024 Champion of Education Award; 2022 Winston-Salem State University Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Award; and the 2017 Winston-Salem State University & Wake Forest University Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Building the Dream Award. Moreover, Dawn is co-founder of the Greensboro Kwanzaa Collective, a grassroots organization that organizes Greensboro’s citywide Kwanzaa celebration; a founding member of the steering committee for Black Girls and Women Matter Greensboro; and founder of LoveEatBuild, a social media-based, social justice-focused, advocacy initiative that promotes meaningful wellness by encouraging humans to Love fully, Eat mindfully, and Build Community. 

More about me:

Winston-Salem State University profile: https://www.wssu.edu/profiles/tafaridn/  

Social Media:

•        Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-hicks-tafari-phd    

•        Twitter: https://twitter.com/drdawnhtafari  

•        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/love.eat.build   

•        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love.eat.build 

Dr. Sheila Thomas earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Early Childhood Education from Albany State University, a Specialist degree in Curriculum Instruction, Management, and Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University. With over three decades of experience in early childhood education, her roles have included teaching, college professorship, and serving as a Georgia Bright from the Start Trainer and Child Development Associate specialist.

Dr. Thomas' expertise has been showcased at conferences such as the Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children, the Professional Family Child Care Alliance of Georgia, Headstart, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. Dr. Thomas continues contributing as an Educator Coach with the Black Child Development Institute and a College Supervisor for Valdosta State University student teachers. 

Dr. Sheila R. Thomas founded Thomas Educational Consulting and Training and Great Day Publishing. Her focus is providing parents of Black boys with the tools and resources needed to support black boys' development.

As an accomplished author, Dr. Thomas has written several children's books, including "J.R.'s Biggest Fan," "Mommy's Little SONshine," and a coloring book titled "Yes, I Can." She also penned the motivational book "W.A.I.T.: Women Anticipating Incredible Turnaround," which explores personal struggles and moments of transformation, highlighting the strength of faith and resilience. Her latest work is a research-based journal titled Raising Brilliant Black Boys, which provides tools and resources to support black boys' social, emotional, and academic development. She is a contributing author to the book, 

Dr. Thomas is a devoted wife, mother of three sons, and grandmother. She actively participates in her community through affiliations with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the National Council of Negro Women, Jack and Jill of America, and several local organizations. Dr. Thomas is deeply involved in her church and finds daily inspiration in her faith, guided by her motto, "If I can help someone along the way, my living won't be in vain." 

For more information, visit https://linktr.ee/drsheilathomas

Sonya Nicole Wagstaff is a second-year doctoral student pursuing a PhD in Education with a specialization in Special Education and experienced special education instructional coach committed to providing expertise on topics ensuring opportunities leading to equitable outcomes for students with learning disabilities. Having served in education for 19 combined years, her broad range of experience includes teaching on the elementary, middle, high school, and community college levels respectively as a classroom teacher, self-contained teacher, resource teacher, inclusion teacher, homebound teacher, instructional coach, department chair, and adjunct instructor. Additionally, her experience encompasses teaching 19 male inmates at the Guilford County Jail, High Pont, NC reading and math who were enrolled the Adult Basic Education GED Program through Guilford Technical Community College. 

Ms. Wagstaff holds an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Computer Electronics Technology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Information Systems, and a Master of Art’s in Teaching Special Education. She earned a Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership Certificate from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Ms. Wagstaff is a certified life coach and contributing author for Exploring Diversity in Education textbook by Dr. Tarra Ellis, professor at Wingate University. She is passionate about developing new teachers’ capacity with effective strategies for their own toolkit, essentially empowering them to show up daily as their best selves. Her professional development and research interests include the following topics: culturally responsive teaching pedagogy, co-teaching and collaboration, differentiated classroom instruction, behavior supports/disproportionality, in addition to poverty and its impact on brain development. Currently, she resides in Winston-Salem, NC and works with Guilford County Schools.

In her spare time, Ms. Wagstaff enjoys enriching the lives of women as the Founder and CEO of Wagstaff Cosmetics Inc., which is committed to providing the best in natural and vegan friendly formulated cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and accessories. As the Founder and CEO Kid Fit For Life, Inc., 501c3 nonprofit organization, she loves providing comprehensive educational programming for underserved children and youth. Ms. Wagstaff is a faithful member of Union Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC.   

Dr. Renita L. Webb is a native of Durham, NC. She attended Elon University. She served as President of the Black Cultural Society, a member of the Gospel Choir, and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Renita graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in English with a concentration in Literature in 2004.

After graduation, she began teaching and coaching in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools and later she taught in Durham Public Schools. During her teaching career, she completed her Masters in Education Administration with Grand Canyon University (2006). In 2008, Renita became the Assistant Principal in the Alamance Burlington School System.

She began her doctoral studies with Capella University. In 2012, Renita became the inaugural principal at Kestrel Heights Elementary School in Durham, NC. She also walked into her call by preaching her initial sermon at Ebenezer in October of that same year. In August 2013, Renita received her Ph.D. in Leadership in Education Administration. Dr. Webb's areas of research include: African Americans, females, education and leadership. Visit https://drrenitawebb.com/

Erika Williams is a passionate educator. After graduating from North Carolin A&T State University with a bachelor's in Biology Education, she worked as a High School Science Teacher in Guilford, Mecklenburg, and Union Counties for 18 years. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology from North Carolina A&T State University.  Her dissertation examines the impact of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) on Life-Science majors in terms of retention, future plans, and science identity.

Erika is a member of the Rho Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. A passionate advocate for social justice and community engagement, she volunteers in voter registration drives, community health initiatives, and uplifting Black Women's Unique experiences in the community. In her free time, she enjoys walking, writing, audiobooks, research, and podcasts. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC, and is the mother of one son and a dog. 

Erica Wrencher is a Black Mama-Scholar working with young folx, churches, and neighborhoods to build beloved communities through creating pockets of joy. Her teaching and faith-rooted community leadership spans urban and rural contexts in North Carolina and Chicago. Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a PhD in Educational Studies and Cultural Foundations. She considers herself a human connection educator and is committed to speaking from her context as a Black woman who is rooted in history and truth. Erica enjoys singing, eating good food and drinking good wine with her community and family. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for the Institute for Community and Economic Engagement (ICEE) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In this role, she oversees communications, the Referral Desk, the P2 Collective Scholarship Fellows Program, and the community-engaged Collaboratory database. Additionally, she serves as a thought partner for colleagues in ICEE’s effort to build the capacity of community-engaged faculty and staff. She is most interested in foregrounding ways to nurture a culture of care within partnerships in ICEE.